A LONG-DISTANCE runner from Hook who came tenth in the London marathon on Sunday has spoken out about feeling unsafe on the streets as a woman.

Charlotte Purdue, who bounced back from disappointment yesterday after missing out on a place at the Olympics earlier this year, told Sky News that safety when out alone is something she has “always thought about”.

The athlete has even changed her training regime so as not to feel anxious about running outside in the dark.

The 30-year-old, who finished the London marathon yesterday in 02:23:26, said: “When I was younger my dad used to drive in the car behind me when I ran at night because, just for safety really and now I do run on the treadmill in the evenings when it’s darker, I just think it’s a bit safer and I feel safer and not as anxious about going out running at night by myself.”

She added: “It’s definitely something that I have always thought about even from growing up it’s definitely something to think about.”

Charlotte spoke to Sky News following the sentencing of Met Police officer Wayne Couzens last week, who was handed a full life sentence for the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

He abducted the 33-year-old as she walked home from a friend's house in south London on March 3.

Her murder has triggered an outpouring of concern over women’s safety in the UK.